Old Telangana government offices add to traffic problems

HYDERABAD: Old government offices that have been allowed on remain alongside main thoroughfares prevent road widening, and construct traffic flow.

Some buildings on the road to Rail Kalyan at Mettuguda in Secunderabad, small rooms near the Nampally station junction are examples, as also structures on the Tolichowki-Nanakramguda road.

Mr Tilak Ramaswamy, a Mehdipatnam resident who commutes to Wipro Circle daily for work, said, “After the Tolichowki flyover towards Nanakramguda on the left are several government  buildings, including an ancient structure which looks like a mini-Golconda.  This unprotected heritage building has a massive wood gate and leading up. It occupies almost 40 feet of road. If these old buildings are demolished, the road width can be increased by 50 per cent.”

Mr Ram Mohan, a resident of Nampally railway quarters, said, “On the Nampally main road towards the Assembly are a few old buildings that earlier housed government departments.”

“These structures were built by the Nizams and have become structurally weak. They have collapsed in some parts. Metro Rail works are going on up to MJ Market. If the old unused buildings are removed, the road can be widened to accommodate more traffic,” he added.

There are unused buildings in Secunderabad on the road from St John’s Circle towards Rail Nilayam, the South Central Railway headquaters and towards Mettuguda.

Asked about these, an officer with the GHMC city planning department said work on 255 junctions and corridors would be taken up as a part of the Strategic Road Development Plan.

“Road will be widened and unused structures will be demolished. In case there are private structures, land will be acquired by negotiating with the owners,” he said.